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Effects of a Nutritional Supplement (DìRelaxTM) on Anxiety in Dogs in a Randomized Control Trial Design. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040435. [PMID: 35203143 PMCID: PMC8868118 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The effects of a nutraceutical product, DìRelaxTM, were tested in a cohort of anxious dogs by the C-BARQ questionnaire to assess the presence of problematic behaviors, and by the impossible task paradigm, an experimental procedure to explore dogs’ cognitive performance following an expectancy frustration. Hematological and biochemical analyses showed no adverse effects. The treatment with DìRelaxTM showed a positive effect on the dog’s performances, with some of the behaviors appearing improved. The results suggested that DiRelaxTM may have some ameliorative effect on the cognitive performances of anxious dogs. Abstract This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of DìRelaxTM, a nutraceutical formulated to reduce anxiety in dogs, using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. The C-BARQ questionnaire, some clinical investigations, and the impossible task test were performed in dogs before and after treatment. The C-BARQ questionnaire is particularly useful for assessing the frequency and severity of problematic behaviors. The impossible task paradigm provides insight into the decision-making processes in the realm of expectancy frustration. Results showed an ameliorative effect on the performances of treated dogs during the solvable phases, with a significant decrease in the time needed to solve the task. No behavioral difference was found between treated and untreated anxious dogs during the unsolvable phase. According to the results from the C-BARQ questionnaire, some of the behaviors appeared to improve. Clinical investigations, including a complete blood cell count and blood chemistry, showed no difference between groups, thus suggesting the safety of the product. In general, this study suggests that DìRelaxTM can be safely administered with no adverse effects and can exercise a beneficial effect on anxious dogs by enhancing their cognitive abilities, but further studies should investigate the best method of administration.
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Segarra S. Nutritional Modulation of the Immune Response Mediated by Nucleotides in Canine Leishmaniosis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2601. [PMID: 34946204 PMCID: PMC8703464 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an emerging, uncontrolled, and neglected zoonotic disease. Climate change is contributing to its ongoing global expansion. The dog is the main reservoir; hence the importance of implementing effective treatment, prevention, and control measures in this animal species to protect public health. However, although the standard treatment for canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is effective, it does not provide full parasitological clearance, and side effects and drug resistance have been described. The host's immune system plays a key role in the establishment and evolution of leishmaniasis. Dietary nucleotides modulate the immune response and, given their reported efficacy and safety in sick and clinically healthy Leishmania-infected dogs and because they represent a sustainable option with no associated side effects or resistance, they could be included within the prevention, treatment, and control strategies for leishmaniasis. This article briefly summarizes the scientific literature on CanL management, including unresolved issues, and reviews the scientific evidence on immunomodulatory effects of dietary nucleotides in different animal species. It also proposes a CanL management algorithm, including nucleotides. It is concluded that nutritional modulation of the immune response with nucleotides can contribute to better management of leishmaniasis following a One Health approach, especially in the COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Segarra
- R&D Bioiberica S.A.U., 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
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de Sousa Gonçalves R, de Pinho FA, Dinis-Oliveira RJ, Mendes MO, de Andrade TS, da Silva Solcà M, Larangeira DF, Silvestre R, Barrouin-Melo SM. Nutritional adjuvants with antioxidant properties in the treatment of canine leishmaniasis. Vet Parasitol 2021; 298:109526. [PMID: 34271314 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Clinical improvement of dogs treated for canine leishmaniasis (CanL) requires reducing Leishmania infantum loads, which depend on intracellular oxidant compounds to destroy the parasite. However, oxidative species' excess and antioxidants consumption can culminate in oxidative stress, resulting in increased, widespread inflammation. We aimed to evaluate if early or late addition of nutritional adjuvants (NAs) - omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and B vitamins - to anti-Leishmania drugs (ALDs) in the treatment of CanL would be clinically beneficial. For that, serum biomarkers including oxidative stress parameters were analyzed during 12 months in dogs allocated to two treatment groups: (G1) NAs administered from 30 days prior to the beginning of ALDs; and (G2) NAs administered from 61 days after the beginning of ALDs. Both G1 and G2 continued to receive NAs until the 12th month. The ALDs administered were metronidazole associated with ketoconazole (40 days), followed by allopurinol from day 41 until the 12th month. G1 exhibited superior inflammation control, with reduced globulins (p = 0.025), specific anti-Leishmania immunoglobulins (p = 0.016), total protein (p = 0.031), and an increased serum albumin/globulin ratio (p = 0.033), compared to G2. The early use of NAs associated with ALDs is clinically beneficial in treating dogs with CanL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela de Sousa Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Teaching Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Flaviane Alves de Pinho
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Teaching Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Pathology and Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, Department of Sciences, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, CRL, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116, Gandra, Portugal; Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal; UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Oliveira Mendes
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Teaching Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Tiago Sena de Andrade
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Teaching Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Manuela da Silva Solcà
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, UFBA, 40170-110, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Daniela Farias Larangeira
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Teaching Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Pathology and Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Silvestre
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Stella Maria Barrouin-Melo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Teaching Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Pathology and Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
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